DARREN FLETCHER has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must not be sucked in by the belief Stoke are just long-ball merchants.

The in-form Potteries outfit head to Old Trafford tonight trying to prevent their hosts making it a 20-match unbeaten start to the season.

United are one of the few sides Stoke seem incapable of ruffling, having lost all five encounters against the Red Devils since their return to the top flight.

And the key may be the fact Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are not just prepared for an aerial bombardment.

They also recognise Stoke can play a bit too.

“Stoke can be physical at times,” said the Scotland skipper.

“They put long throws and free-kicks into the box and are willing to go direct.

“But that is not to neglect the football players they have. Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant like to get at you and dribble.

“Tuncay and Ricardo Fuller are good, attacking-style players who like the ball at their feet too, so they do have options and can cause problems on the ground.”

On their past two trips to Old Trafford, Stoke have conceded nine goals, without scoring once.

Indeed, a secret weapon in combating Rory Delap’s long throws has been established.

The slope that surrounds the perimeter of Old Trafford prevents Delap launching his bombs in quite the same way, reducing the effectiveness of that particular avenue of Stoke attack.

“Against Stoke, some teams would rather defend the corner than the throw-in,” admitted Fletcher.

“But the slope at Old Trafford stops them building up momentum. The pitch is bigger as well so maybe they can’t get the throws quite as far into the box.

“It is still a danger but we prepare for it. We do our homework and try to manage it the best way we can.”

Before confirming his final selection of the Christmas programme, Sir Alex Ferguson will need to assess the fitness of Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and Darron Gibson, who all ended Saturday’s victory away to West Bromwich Albion in various states of discomfort.

Rooney in particular was struggling badly at the final whistle after being caught on the ankle and even if the damage is not extensive, it would not be a surprise should Ferguson opt to rest his number one striker, knowing Liverpool and Tottenham are United’s next two opponents – and the forward’s automatic replacement, Javier Hernandez, signalled his well-being with the winner at The Hawthorns.

Nani is also hoping to be available after his recent hip complaint, while skipper Nemanja Vidic escaped suspension for his fifth booking of the season at West Brom, which came one day after the December 31 cut-off point.

Tonight sees United look for a win that would put them in a very handy position ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal 24 hours later.

Although nothing can be taken for granted in this, the strangest of seasons, should United end the festive programme with both a points advantage, and matches in hand on their closest challengers, it would be a brave man who bet against them regaining the title and registering that record 19th championship, particularly as, with Chelsea fading fast, they are the ones who have the knowledge of being there before.

“Experience is important in the last few months,” said Fletcher.

“We have been there before. We have experienced what it takes on a title run-in.

“You need last-minute goals and you have to grind out results at different times. We also know how to respond from a Champions League game.

“We have experience of all these things. That is something Manchester City in particular have not been through yet. It is all new to them.”